Web Site Design Survey of Current K-State Research and Extension Users Pat Melgares, Marketing Coordinator K-State Research and Extension Department of Communications

About feedback panels… “…a continuing group that responds periodically to questioning.” In marketing, “a rather common survey method.” “May exist for as little as a week, or as long as a year or more.” “…may be set up by telephone, mail or personal interview.” Groups are carefully screened to get the best persons for the problem under discussion. -- State of the Art Marketing Research (1998), Blankenship, Breen and Dutka

Past projects 2003 – Animal Sciences and Industry 2004 – Local-level projects 2005 – College of Agriculture 2006 – PDIS; Employee Resources Web

Key similarities Simplicity Functionality over visual appeal Updated information Easy search capability

Method ID target groups Select panelists based on audience Contact panelists for consent Conduct feedback by or Web Data analysis Discuss qualitative and quantitative results

Goals Categories (links) Preferred terms CMS features Awareness of new technology

Target Audiences Metro audiences Young adults (ages 25-44) K-State Research and Extension employees Decision-makers Minorities

Results Respondents were more accurate in selecting a consumer-friendly term for information they were seeking.

Results Respondents strongly preferred consumer-friendly terms over administrative terms.

Results Four Web features were clearly preferred over other choices.

Results RSS feeds seem to be an opportunity for K-State Research and Extension.

Discussion Use consumer-friendly terms for page links.

Discussion Emerging opportunities for high-bandwidth features.

Discussion ‘Push Technologies’ should be developed and promoted.

Discussion Pay attention to rising use of different browsers.

Thank you! Pat Melgares, Marketing Coordinator K-State Research and Extension Department of Communications